April 17, 2010-Park It.

Kate Murr
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We packed to the wee hours of the morning, and got up at 6am to prepare for a KY3 news interview and big day in the park. We were late for the interview, but Abby Wullner must have figured on that, because it turned out we showed up just in time for a short and sweet segment. The excitement of seeing how television is made was completely lost on the kids, who were enthralled by the huge bank of TVs playing pink and plastic Saturday morning commercials. The segment was short and Brady got a kick out of seeing Mommy on TV.

Amanda, Ryan, and Jeff and his amazing Springfield Greene County Parks Board team were completely rocking Jordan Valley Park by the time we arrived to set up for the event. Bruce, Loring, and other volunteers swarmed in to help. Tom Hutchison, host of Jazz Excursions on KSMU, introduced Teach to Inspire Yoga leader, Rod Buckner, who led the assembly in light stretching. The poker run ride was cancelled due to poor turn out, but about 25 people participated in the family ride. I’m pretty sure Clara would have won the event, had it been a race.  Once back at the park, participants enjoyed coffee brewed lovingly by Jason at The Hub, Panera bagels, and fruit from Mama Jeans. Parents as Teachers, the Springfield Greene County Park Board, Cox Health, the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, and the Childhood Obesity Action Group held demonstrations and activities for kids, the fire truck arrived, then the music started. Members of Speakeasy, Member of Big Smith, (Jody Bilyeu), and The lowdown Fancy rocked out with cellos, mandolins, and guitars of FIRE, while more and more people trickled into the park to enjoy free Andy’s Custard, Chipotle burritos, and the brilliant music. Joe West and Jason performed various impressive bike tricks on a ramp, and at one point Brady took off his pants and streaked most of the way up the fountain “stream” that flows down to the park’s stage. To his credit, the pants were wet…

My parents, and even my grandmother and Bob, came up from Anderson for the event, and my friend Melinda Sampson drove all the way from Webster County. Tom raffled off sponsor donations and finally the Trek 7000 bicycle from A &B Cycle, which went to our good friend Rae of Rae and Jeffery, with whom I enjoyed a fantastic barefoot tango as Speakeasy played something bluesy.

Thanks to all who participated, donated, volunteered, and sponsored to help make this even a success.

Enjoy your local park today!

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